Awning structure



June 4, 1963 D. G. Dl-:DDo 3,092,171

AWNING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 6. 1961 1N VEN TOR. az e 6 edaa Z y ATT RNEYS June 4, 1963 Filed Jan. 6, 1961 D. G. DEDDO AWNING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. anz'e/ eda/ A TT( )Rll YS Unite States This invention relates to improvements in awning structures and more particularly relates to an improved yform of rigid awning structure.

Heretofore, rigid awning structures and particularly awning `structures in which awning panels are supported in a metal framework, have been so constructed that it is necessary to bolt the panels -to the metal framework. Such structures are subject to leakage of water between the panel and framework, and are also subject to rattling in the wind, and besides require a series of drilled holes in the framework and panels and the bolting of the panels to the framework along the metal supporting structure in a plurality of places, making it necessary to lcover the bolts and requiring `an excessive amount of labor to drill and bolt the panels and supporting framework together.

A principal object yof the present invention is to provide a simplified and improved form of awning structure which seals the metal framework from the egress of water Iand reduces to a minimum the bolting of the panels to the supporting framework therefor.

A further object of ythe invention is to provide a simple and improved form of awning structure in which the awning panels are retained from rattling in the wind and in water tight relation with respect to the supporting framework for the panels by the compressive force of expansible retainers having compressive engagement with the supporting rails `of the framework for the awning structure.

Still another object of the invention is to simplify the present rigid awning structures having metal frames and fiberglass panels and prevent rattling of the panels and the leakage of water between the panels and framework, by providing non-metallic retaining structures for the panels slidable along slotted portions of the metal rails of the awning structure and expansible thereagainst and against the awning panels and retained thereto by the compressive force of the retainers to the slotted portions of the metal rails.

A still further object of the invention is to simplify the mounting of fiberglass panels to the supporting rails of lthe supporting framework for -a rigid awning structure iby providing plastic retainers compressibly engaging within panel retaining slots in the panel supporting rail-s of the awning structure, and by stapling the panels to the plastic retainers and sliding the panels and plastic retainers along the panel receiving slots or" the awning structure.

A still further 'object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved form of rigid awning structure having panels and parallel supporting rails therefor, in which the panels are mounted on the rails by slidable movement along slots extending along the rails, and in which an end closure channel is snapped to the end of at least one center rail to retain the panels to the supporting framework therefor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simplified and improved metal framework for Supporting panels for Irigid lawning structures in which the parts of the framework structure `are retained in assembled relation with respect to each yother with a minimum of bolting and are so constructed and arranged as to accommodate the ready expansion of the awning in width.

These and other objects of the invention will appear arent ice from time to time as the following specification proceeds `and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a rigid awning constructed in accordance with the invention showing the awning mounted to extend over the window of a buildlng;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away and certain other parts in vertical section `showing the mounting of an awning panel to the center rails of the awning structure;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear end portion of the awning structure showing the mounting of the awning structure on a building;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the intermediate and end rails of the awning structure;

FIGURE 5 is a vfragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line V-V of FIGURE l, with the end covers for the awning structure and the panels and retaining means therefor removed;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary `sectional view taken substantially along line VI-VI of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged detailed View of the outer end rail for the awning structure;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the center rail of the awning structure with the panels and retaining me-ans therefor removed and showing one form of means for clipping the rail to .the cross-brace therefor;

FIGURE l0 has an enlarged fragmentary perspective `view of a portion of the cross-brace for the awning structure;

FIGURE 1l is a View somewhat similar to FIGURE 9, but illustrating a modied forni of connection of the center rail to its cross-brace; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing la modified form of retainer for the awning panel t0 the center rail therefor.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown in FIGURE 1 a rigid awning structure mounted on the wall of a building over a window opening. The owning structure includes a metal framework 1G supporting panels 11, herein shown as being corrugated, but which may be flat as well. The metal framework is hingedly mounted to the wall of a building on a hinge bracket 12 (FIGURE 3) extending across the top of the window and suitably secured to the wall of the building. The hinged bracket 12 has a lower arcuate bearing support or hook portion 13 engaged by a tubular bead 15 extending along the rear end portion of a hinge plate 16 and formed integrally therewith. The hinge plate 16 extends along the top of the awning structure and is secured to a center rail 17 and outer rails 19 of the awning structure as by bolts 20. As shown in FIG- URE 3, the hinge plate extends over covers 13 for the ends of the awning structure and is bolted to said end covers and the outer rails 19 by the bolts 20.

'In mounting the awning on the wall of a building, the bead 15 is engaged with the bearing support portion 13 of the bracket 12. A lock or retainer 21 made from a resilient material which may be a plastic and is generally V-shaped in end View, having a lower portion 23 conform ing to the form of the bead 15 and an upper portion 24 extending under -a flange 25 extending along the upper edge of the bracket 12, is engaged with the bead 15 and snapped under the ange 25. The resiliency of the retainer 21 will then bias the bead into engagement with the arcuate bearing surface 13. 'Ihe awning may then be hinged upwardly and retained in a desired position, as by spears 26 suitably pivoted to the wall of the building beneath the awning and extending angularly upwardly and Vretainers for plastic panel retainers 35. The lower plate portion 3@ as shown in FIGURE 4 has upright legs 36 extending upwardly therefrom in general alignment with the gibs 33 and forming retainer legs or flanges for the plastic panel retainers 35. The intermediate rail 17 thus has two oppositely facing generally C-shaped slots extending for the length thereof for receiving the plastic retainers 35 and the panels 11 secured thereto, as will hereinafter be more clearly described .as this specification proceeds.

The portions of the bottom plate 39 extending `outwardly of the upright legs 35 form retainer llanges 38 adapted to be engaged by clips 37 on the intermediate cross-brace 29. As shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, the intermediate cross-brace Z9 is of a generally box-like form and has a slot 39 extending the length thereof within which t bolts 49 retaining the clips 37 to said crossbrace and retaining said clips in engagement with the retainer flanges 33 of the intermediate rail 17. The slot 39 in the cross-brace 29 thus accommodates the clipping of the intermediate rail .and the side rail to said crossbrace at any desired location, without the customary drilling of the cross-brace, and also makes it possible to extend the awning in width in yaccordance with the size of the cross-brace used and to utilize more than one intermediate rail, if desired. The side rails 19 have flanges 4t) adapted to be clipped to the cross-brace 29 by the clips 37 in the same manner the intermediate rail is clipped thereto; The side rail 19, like the intermediate rail 17 each have a channel or C-shaped slot 41 extending for the length thereof yand opening to opposite ends thereof to accommodate the retainers 35 and opposite ends of the panels 11 to be slidably mounted therein.

In FIGURE ll, I have shown a modilied clipping means for clipping the rails of the awning frame structure to the cross-beam 2,9.y In this form of the invention, I have shown an intermediate rail 17a, like the rail 17, except the rail 17a does not have the retainer anges 35. In this form of the invention, clips 37a are bolted to the cross-beam 29 by bolts Alla extending throughY the slot 39 in said cross-beam. The clips 37a extend upwardly along'legs 36a of the rail 17a and extend over and are clipped into engagement with the top surfaces of said legs.

The front brace 27 forms a closure for the front end of the awning, concealing the ends of the panels and the plastic retainers therefor, and also forms a stitfening brace for theA awning. The front brace 27, as shown in FIG- URES 6, 7 and 8, is of a generally channel-like form having stiening beads 43 extending along the front end thereof and also having an inwardly extending flange 44 extending inwardly of the front wall thereof and cut off adjacent the ends of said front brace for distances suhstantially equal to the width of the top plates of the side rails 19. The front brace 27 also has .a frange 42 turned outwardly of the rear wall thereof and extending therealong and increasing the rigidity of said front brace. The lip 44 is adapted to fit within a sloty 45 extending transversely of the top plate 32 of the intermediate rail 17.

In Vassembling the awning structure, assuming the panel retainers and the panels secured thereto are in place in the slots in the intermediate and end rails 17 and 19, 19 respectively, lthe end brace is placed across the front of the awning structure and is moved inwardly along the front end of the intermediate rail 17 until the flange 44 snaps into the slot 45,`extending transversely of the top plate 32 of the intermediate rail 17. The front brace will then be locked in position on said intermediate rail. Opposite ends of the front brace are then secured to the side rails 19 as by nuts and bolts 48 extending entirely through said brace, the side rails 19 and the panels 11, as Well as the retainers therefor.

Referring now in particular to the retainers 35 and the means for retaining the panels 1:1 to the intermediate and end rails 117 and 19, 19 with a minimum of bolting, each retainer 35, as shown in lFIGURE 2, extends for the length of the respective slots in the intermediate and side rails 17 and 19, 19 respectively, and may be made from a thermoplastic material, such as a vinyl thermoplastic material. The retainers are preferably extrusions and are relatively rigid in their completed form. Each retainer 35, as shown in FIGURE 2, includes a llat surface or ledge 46I spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof and abutting the undersurface of the panel 111 and secured thereto as by staple 49, driven throughY 'the valleys of the corrugated panels 1'1. The ledge 46 terminates at its outer end into an inclined wall 50 of a The trough-like trough-like portion 51 of the retainer. portion 51 has an outer wall 53 abutting the innerside of the leg 36. 'Ihe outer wall 53 terminates at its upper end into `an inwardly turned lip 55 tapering to a feather edge at its outer end. The feather edge of the lip 55 abuts the underside of the panel 11 and is pressed inwardly and downwardly by said panel and `forces the wall 53 into pressing engagement with the inner side of the leg 36, the compressive point being adjacent the upper end portion of the leg 36. The feather edge of the lip 55 f also maintains a continuing compressive force on the panel and retains the panel from rattling besides draining any water that may lodge underneath the panel awa from the supporting framework there-for.Y The inner side of the ledge 47 terminates into a vertical wall portion 56 having runners or beads 57 extending along the upper and lower ends thereof for slidable engagement with the wall of the web 31. The vertical wall portion 56 terminates into an inwardly extending flap 59 bent inwardly of the wall V515V and extending over the end of the panel 11. The flap 59 before insertion in its slot is normally biased upwardly and has a feather edge 6dr engaging the inside of the gib 33 under compression,-and thereby placing the rear wall 55 into compressive engagement with the web 31 and exerting a downward force o-n the panel 11, to retain said panelV from rattling.

The inclined wall 50 of the ythrough-like portion 51 of the retainer 35 has a concave inner or under surface 61 and is placed under compression as the retainer is slidably moved within its slot, and presses ribs 63 into engagement with the upper. surface of the plate 3) and also presses the retainer into engagement with the inner siclle1o7f the leg 36 and the outer side of the web 31 of the rai A gasket 65 extends along the outer side of the Wall 56 and has the end of the panel 11 pressed into engagement therewith, to seal the panel to the retainer 35 and to prevent the leakage of water along the end of the panel 11. The gasket being relatively soft, may conform to various configurations of panels.

While I have herein shown a gasket 65 for sealing thek end of the panel, it should be understood that the gasket may be replaced by a caulking compound, mastic, or any other sealing medium, which may be placed along the edge and top of the panel, if desired.

assembling the awning, the framework 1G is lirst assembled, except for the front brace 27. The panels slots for the length thereof, the beads 5-7 and 63 reducing sliding friction until the panel is in place in the rails 17 and 19. The fit between the retainers and C-shaped slots is a relatively close tit and the compressive force of the retainer acting on the walls of the slots creates suicient'friction between the retainers and walls of the C- shaped slot to firmly retain the panel in position in the frame structure. After the insertion of a iirst panel in the frame structure, a second panel may then be inserted in the frame structure in the same manner as the iirst panel. The front lbrace 27 may then be slidably moved along the rails 17 and 19 from the forward ends thereof until the flange 44 snaps into the slot 45. The end covers 18 may then be placed along opposite ends of the awning structure closing the ends of the awning structure and covering the side rails 19. The end covers may then be bolted in place, the bolts at the forward end portion of said end covers also retaining the front brace 27 to the forward end portions of the rails -17 and 19.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 12, I have shown a simplied form o-f retainer which may be used for either hat or corrugated panels. In this form of the invention, the intermediate and end rails are the same as in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 9, so the same part numbers will be applied thereto as were applied to the same pants as in form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES l to 9. The mounting of the panel on the intermediate ra-il is the same as the mounting of the panel on the side rails, so that intermediate rail and panel mounting on the intermediate rail need only herein be shown and described.

As shown in FIGURE 12, a retainer 67 similar to the retainer 35, but not having Ithe inner wall '56 and lip 59 of the retainer 35, is slidably mounted in the C-shaped slot of the intermediate rail 17. The retainer 67 has a flat ledge 69, the end of which slidably abuts the outside of the web 31. The leg 69 terminates into an inclined wall 7? of a trough 71. The trough 71 has an outer wall 73 engaging the inner side of the leg 35. The outer wall 73 terminates at its upper end into an angularly inwardly extending lip 74, terminating into a feather edge pressed into engagement with the underside of a panel 75, herein shown as being a flat panel, but which may be a cor rugated panel as well. The lip 74 pressed downwardly by the panel 75 presses the wall 73 into engagement with the leg 36 to retain the retainer 67 to said leg. The lip 74 and feather edge thereof also exerts an upward pressure on the panel and retains the panel from rattling in its slot during heavy winds and effects a water seal along the underside of the panel.

The undersurface of the trough 71 has beads 76 extending there-along, engaging the bottom of -the C-shaped slot in the rail 19 and reducing the friction between said slot and retainer when sliding said retainer and panel 75 into said slot. The inner side of the inclined wall 70 is slightly concave, as indicated by reference character 77 and is under compression when the retainer is inserted within the C-shaped slot in the rail 17 and exerts compressive forces on said retainer to compressively engage said retainer with the web 31, the bottom of the C-shaped slot and the inside of the leg 36, to further said in holding said retainer to the rail 17.

As shown in FIGURE 12, the panel 75 is stapled to the ledge 69 by staples 7 9. In this form of the invention, the gasket is eliminated, although a gasket may be provided, if desired.

It may be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a simplified and improved awning structure, eliminating the multiplicity of bolts and bolt holes heretofore required to assemble the panels to the frame structure of the awning by stapling or riveting the panels to friction retainers retaining the panels to the frame structure by frictional engagement of the panels therewith and sealing the panels from the leakage of water along the supporting framework therefor.

It may further be seen that besides materially reducing the bolts, bolt holes and bolting operations formerly required for retaining the panels to the awning frame structure, that I have reduced the tendency of the panels to rattle and have simplified the assembly of the awning making it possible to assemble the panels to the frame structure by simply sliding the panels therein.

It may still further be seen that the retainers of the invention are adapted for either hat or corrugated panels and that one panel may be used interchangeably with the other, and that where the panels are corrugated, if any water should be blown under the panel past the lip 55, it may be drawn along the trough 5i) into the front brace 27 for discharge from opposite ends thereof.

While I have herein shown and described several forms in which my invention may be embodied, it should be understood that various modifications and variations in the invention may be attained without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts thereof, as defined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim as my invention:

l. `In an awning structure, a frame structure including at least one intermediate rail and parallel spaced side nails spaced to each side of said intermediate rail, said intermediate rail having generally C-shaped slots extending for the length thereof and opening to opposite sides thereof and terminating at the outer end portions thereof into uprights legs extending for the length thereof, said side rails having generally C-shaped slots therein conforming to the slots in said intermediate rail and opening toward the slots in said intermediate rail, awning panels slidable within said slots from the ends thereof, expansible retainers extending along opposite sides of said awning panels guiding said panels for slidable movement along said slots and compressed against the upright legs and walls of said slots to retain said panels thereto, and means securing said panels to said retainers prior to insertion of said panels within said slots.

2. yIn an awning structure, a frame structure therefor including at least one intermediate rail and parallel side rails spaced to each side of said intermediate rail, said intermediate and side rails having generaily C-shaped slots extending for the length thereof and facing each other and having upright legs extending along the lower outer end portions thereof, awning panels slidable within said slots from the ends thereof, plastic retainers extending for the length of said awning panels along opposite sides thereof and having hat ledges underiying said panels and secured thereto, said retainers forming slidable guides for said panels slidably guiding said panels for insertion within said slots and compressed against said legs and the walls of said slots to retain said panels thereto.

3. An awning structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein the panels are fiberglass.

4. An awning structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein the panels are corrugated fiberglass with the corrugations thereof extending transversely of the awning structure and wherein staples extending through the valleys of the corrugations of said panels staple said panels to said retainers.

5. In an awning structure having at least one panel and two connected supporting rails supporting opposite sides of said panel and having facing lC-shaped slots extending for substantially the length thereof and terminating at their outer ends into upright legs, plastic retainers extending along each side of said awning panel and having ledges extending along the opposite edges of said awning panel land inwardly from said edges, trough-like portions depending from said ledges, each trough-like portion terminating in an upright Iwall having an angularly inwardly turned edge portion engageable underneath the awning panel and deflected downwardly thereby and pressing said wall into frictional engagement -with said leg upon the sliding of said retainer within an associated slot.

6. In an awning structure having a-t least one awning panel and at least two connected supporting rails having 4O-shaped slots extending for the length thereof terminating at their outer ends into upright legs extending for the length thereof, plastic retainers slidable within said slots and extending along each side of the awning panel and having ledges underlying the awning panel and secured thereto, said retainers each having a trough-like portion depending from said ledge inwardly of the edge of the awning panel and terminating into an angularly extending depending wall extending to the bottom of an associated slot, a bottom wall extending outwardly thererom having beads extending thereal'ong for slidably engaging the bottom of the associated slots and an upright wall extending vertically from said bottom -wall having engagement with the inner side of the associated ledge, and means frictionally engaging said upright wall with the edge of the associated slot comprising a lip extending along said upright ywall angularly inwardly toward said ledge and having a feather edge engageable with the underside of the awning panel and depressed by said panel and placing said upright wall into compressive engagement with said leg.

7. In an awning structure having at least one awning vpanel and at least twoy connected supporting rails having Y facing C-shaped slots extending for the length thereof and dened yat their outer ends by upright legs extending upwardly from the bottoms of said slots, for the length of said slots, plastic retainers extending along each side of the awning panel and having at ledges underlying the awning panel and stapled thereto, said retainers each having an angularly downwardly extending wall extending from said ledge to the bottom of an associated slot and having one plain side and an opposite concave side, said inclined wall terminating into a bottom extending to said leg and having a vertical wall extending upwardly therefrom along said leg and angularly inwardly extending lip extending angularly upwardly frorn said last mentioned wall in a direction ltoward said ledge and having la feather edge engageabletwith the underside of the panel land deilected downw-ardly thereby, said lip and the concave face of said inclined wall being deflected by the panel upon slidable movement of the panel along the associated slot and placed under compression thereby and compressively engaging said retainer with said slot, to retain the associated panel in position therein.

8. In an awning structure having at least one awning panel, at least two connected supporting rails having C- shaped slots extending for the length lthereof for receiving and supporting said awning panel, said slots having upright legs extending along the outer end portions thereof, and means guiding said panel for insertion within said slots from the ends thereof and retaining said panel to said rails comprising plastic retainers extending along each siderof the awning panel and secured thereto for slidably guiding said panel for insertion within said slots, each retainer having a dat ledge underlying the yawning panel `and extending inwardly of the edge thereof yand having a wall extending vertically from said ledge along the edge of the panel having -a flap extending angularly upwardly and inwardly therefrom over the top of the panel prior to insertion of the panel within the associated slots, said ap being deflected by the top surface of the associated slot to place said wall into compressive engagement with the inner vertical wall of the associated slot upon insertion of said retainer within the associated slot, said retainer also 10. An awning structure in accordance with claim 8,

wherein the awning panel is corrugated fiberglass and the cornugations extend transversely of the awning.

Ll. In an awning structure, at least one awning panel, 'at least two connectedV supporting rails having facing C- shaped slots extending for the length thereof and Iterminating at their outer lower ends into upright legs, means slideably guiding said panel within said slots and retaining said panel thereto comprising plastic retainers extending along each side of the awning panel `and stapled thereto, each retainer having a flat ledge underlying the `awning panel, having a wall extending vertically therefrom yalong the edge of the panel and having a llap extending angul-arly upwardly and inwardly from said wall over the top of the panel and deected by the top surface of an associated slot upon insertion of said retainer within the associated slot to place said wall in compressive engagement with the inner wall of the associated slot upon the sliding of said retainerV and panel within the associated slot, said ledge having a trough-like portion depending therefrom into engagement with the bottom of the associated slot and having an upright wall extending from the bottom ofsaid trough-like portion along the inner side of said ledge having a lip extending angularly inwardly from said wall in the general direction of said ledge and depressed by said panel to place said Wall in compressive engagement with said leg, upon slidable movement `of `said retainer within the associated slot, ya gasket extending along the first mentioned wall of said retainer into sealing engagement with the edge of said panel, and stapling means stapling said panel to said ledge.

l2. In an awning structure having at least one dat nonmetallic panel and two connected supporting rails supporting opposite sides of said panel and having facing C- shaped slots extending for substantially the length thereof and terminating at their outer ends into upright legs, expansible retainers extending along each side of said awning panel and having ledges extending yalong opposite edges of said Vawning panel and inwardly from said edges, and trough-like portions depending Afrom said ledges, each trough-like portion terminating in an upright wall having an angularly inwardly turned lip deflected downwardly by the awning panel and exerting an upward force on said awning panel to prevent said panel from rattling under high wind conditions and sealing said panel from the leakage of water thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,073,278 Hohl Mar. 9, 1937 2,776,460 Bottom Jan. 8, 1957 2,900,681 Becker Aug. 25, 1959 2,914,776 Hotz Dec. 1, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 854,426 Germany Nov. 4, 1952 

1. IN AN AWNING STRUCTURE, A FRAME STRUCTURE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE INTERMEDIATE RAIL AND PARALLEL SPACED SIDE RAILS SPACED TO EACH SIDE OF SAID INTERMEDIATE RAIL, SAID INTERMEDIATE RAIL HAVING GERNERALLY C-SHAPED SLOT EXTENDING FOR THE LENGTH THEREOF AND OPENING TO OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF AND TERMINATING AT THE OUTER END PORTIONS THEREOF INTO UPRIGHTS LEGS EXTENDING FOR THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID SIDE RAILS HAVING GENERALLY C-SHAPED SLOTS THEREIN CONFORMING TO THE SLOTS IN SAID INTERMEDIATE RAIL AND OPENING TOWARD THE SLOTS IN SAID INTERMEDIATE RAIL, AWNING PANELS SLIDABLE WITHIN SAID SLOTS FROM THE ENDS THEREOF, EXPANSIBLE RETAINERS EXTENDING ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID AWNING PANELS GUILDING SAID PANELS FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT ALONG SAID SLOTS AND COMPRESSED AGAINST THE UPRIGHT LEGS AND WALLS OF SAID SLOTS TO RETAIN SAID PANELS THERETO, AND MEANS SECURING SAID PANELS TO SAID RETAINERS PRIOR TO INSERTION OF SAID PANELS WITHIN SAID SLOTS. 